Chapter 1

My most intimate photos had been trending on the local forum for a full forty-eight hours.

My fiancé, Lester Stephens, was the only one who never said a word against me.

He'd blocked the cameras for me, covered my ears, and held me hard against his chest.

But when I went to the private room to bring him a hangover remedy, I stopped outside the door and heard his sister's sweet little laugh.

"You lost, Lester. That limited-edition Porsche is mine now.

I told you, if it came from your hand, she'd drink it even with the drug in it."

The boy who'd looked out for me since we were kids let out a scoff.

"I picked the angles on those photos and posted them myself. Ruined enough for you?"

My best friend nestled coyly into Lester's arms.

"Just to force her to break the engagement herself and clear the way for me, and you two came up with something this low."

Lester pulled her in tighter, his voice full of contempt.

"If I didn't hire someone to take those photos and destroy her name, why would she ever agree to end it quietly?

Only this way can you become Mrs. Stephens with a clean record."

So the public disgrace, the online abuse, the despair I'd lived through these three days.

It was nothing but a wager these people I loved most had casually laid down to force me out of the way.

I calmly dropped the remedy into the trash and dialed a number.

"Dad, I'll agree to the marriage."

"…"

"Good. The Farleys have shown real sincerity."

"Ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Bring your ID."

I answered with a low "Okay" and hung up.

The hall was a little cold. I turned and pushed open the door to the private room.

The moment the door cracked open, the laughter inside cut off.

Lester saw me come in and pushed Beverly Fox away.

Beverly rose from the sofa then.

"Bertha, don't take it too hard."

"I saw everything online too. What those people said was awful. You mustn't let it get to you."

"The truth will speak for itself. We'll all be here for you."

I only gave a cold laugh. "I don't need your concern."

Lester frowned.

"Bertha, she's been so worried about you these two days she couldn't even eat. Don't take it out on her."

Suddenly it all felt pointless.

"I'm not angry." I looked at Beverly. "I just find you filthy."

Beverly went pale, and her tears fell at once.

Bella Stephens scoffed from beside her.

"What gives you the right to act so high and mighty, Bertha James?

Your name is trash all over town now. If my brother weren't protecting you, you think you'd still be standing here putting on airs?

Beverly here is kind enough to comfort you, and you throw it back in her face."

I turned my head toward Bella.

"Is that so." I tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Then thank your brother for me."

Lester's face darkened.

"That's enough. You're not yourself today. Let me take you home first."

He turned to Beverly, and his voice softened in an instant.

"Beverly, have the driver take you back first. I'll come see you later."

Beverly nodded obediently.

"Okay. Stay with Bertha. She needs you most right now."

But Lester took my arm and led me out.

Neither of us spoke the whole way.

The car was quiet enough to smother a person.

Lester steered one-handed, and out of habit his other hand reached for mine.

I turned aside, leaning against the window, watching the night scenery streak past outside.

His hand met empty air, paused there a second, then slowly drew back.

"Bertha."

The car stopped at a red light. He turned to look at me, his voice dropping low.

"The thing online, I've already gotten it taken down."

"But the fallout really isn't good. The elders on the Stephens side are very unhappy about it."

I didn't turn around. I only watched his profile reflected in the glass.

"So?"

Lester was silent for two seconds, then reached into the storage compartment, took out a document, and held it out to me.

"Let's dissolve the engagement first."

"Just for now," he added.

"Once this blows over and everyone forgets about it, we'll get engaged again."

I lowered my eyes to the statement dissolving the engagement.

His name was already signed on it.

"This is to protect you too." He looked at me.

"Carrying the title of the Stephens family's future daughter-in-law right now will only bring you more abuse.

Stepping back is better for both of us."

I looked at that flawless face of his and felt only how absurd it all was.

The one who put the drug in my glass was him.

The one who posted the photos online was him.

And now the one holding the dissolution statement, forcing me to sign under the banner of protecting me, was him too.

He'd calculated every single thing, and still he wanted my gratitude for it.

"Fine."

I signed my name on the document right then.

Lester watched how cleanly, how decisively I did it, and something like shock flickered in his eyes.

"Bertha…" His brow furrowed slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

"It's signed." I threw the document back at him and pushed open the car door.

"Don't bother taking me. I'll get my own cab."